While Jared Payne was not without his detractors, he was still the closest thing to a good fit Ireland had for its biggest of big boots.
When Brian O’Driscoll retired after the 2014 Six Nations triumph there was much wringing of hands. How would Joe Schmidt fill the outside centre berth that Ireland’s record cap holder had made his own over the course of 15 years and 133 Tests?
Since his debut less than a year ago against South Africa Payne’s influence has been impressive and his predecessor this morning described the Ulster man’s broken foot as “bad news” for Ireland’s World Cup hopes.
Bad news for @IrishRugby losing Jared Payne. He has been the glue.
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) October 10, 2015
Andrew Trimble or Felix Jones are likely to be drafted in as an injury replacement, but the outside centre berth will be filled from within the squad.
Keith Earls had been selected to play 13 against France tomorrow as Joe Schmidt planned to rest Payne for next week’s quarter-final, but is the Munster man a long-term solution now that Payne is homeward bound?
Some are suggesting drastic measures…
Jared Payne out of #RWC2015.#IRE need a replacement No.13.
This is not a drill, @BrianODriscoll get your boots. pic.twitter.com/r8OWV2ONop
— Conor McNamara (@ConorMcNamaraIE) October 10, 2015
Leinster’s Luke Fitzgerald and Payne’s provincial team-mate Darren Cave are options, but Earls is the man in possession of the jersey.
The Munster man has more experience playing 13 at Test level than anyone else in the squad, including the entire 2012 Six Nations campaign when O’Driscoll was injured.
He may lack the defensive capabilities of converted full-back Payne, but the Munster man is an exciting attacker who became Ireland’s record World Cup try-scorer in the win over Italy.
Is the man who surpassed one of O’Driscoll’s many records at the Olympic Stadium finally ready to assume the mantle?
Concerns over his defence should be eased as his midfield partner Robbie Henshaw has 80 minutes of World Cup rug by under his belt, but there is no doubt the centre pairing will be severely tested against Mathieu Bastareaud and Wesley Fofana.
Lose to France and next week’s challenge is even bigger – the All Blacks World Cup-winning partnership of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith, with Sonny Bill Williams primed to appear from the bench at some stage.
The World Cup starts here and the matches are going to get tougher, so losing the player Schmidt had built his midfield around is far from ideal.
Gordon D’Arcy this week described Payne as a “player’s player” who can be relied upon to perform that unseen work people like to talk about. Matt Williams has his concerns about Payne’s lack of a cutting edge but Ireland’s eight wins from his 10 outings in green speak volumes for his tackling and positional sense.
O’Driscoll excelled at both parts of the game, attack and defence, while Earls and Payne each have their speciality. With ball in hand Earls may provide a greater link between Johnny Sexton inside him and the back-three, but Payne provided a layer of security that Schmidt appreciated.
The Ireland head coach’s success to date has been based on defensive solidity rather than an emphasis on attack – hence Payne’s status as Schmidt’s preferred outside centre.
Earl’ will be well tested in the Millennium Stadium tomorrow and if he and the side fail Schmidt may have to consider pairing Fitzgerald or Cave with Robbie Henshaw in the quarter-finals.
Going into a daunting match against the reigning champions with the fourth new centre partnership of the tournament would not be ideal.
The 13 shirt is Earls’ to lose now but the stakes are high. Ireland have lost their glue and it is time to get stuck in.
